Keys in EWS III - weird question

[e30mpower]

I've been tinkering with this 2004 3.0 I just bought and had to reteach myself coding with NCS, etc. So when I bought it, I only received key #4. It's not something I'm really concerned with at the moment since I still have key #4 as opposed to #5, but if I order a new master from the dealer, will the car recognize this as key #5 for coding purposes or will I be able to tell it tell it that I'm replacing a lower-numbered key thus enabling the new key to have its own settings?



The information I've read in ISTA is confusing at best. It says that when ordering a key the sequential number is coded into it upon production and is not changeable (even when old keys are deactivated in the module), so once all 10 available keys are lost a new EWS module has to be ordered but it doesn't mention anything about coded key memory (like driveaway locking) for 5 through 10.

Did I do a decent job explaining my question or should I just drag myself to bed and try again later this week? I've had a long weekend. lol

[Emory39]

I think that as long as you do the coding with said key in the ignition that will take what ever coded key memory you want to add. as for drive away locking that's something you do in NCS and it will take no matter what key you have in the ignition. Or so I think

[e30mpower]

Thanks for the quick reply. If I'm not mistaken there's "key memory" and "car memory" for some of the options. If car memory overrides key memory at all times then I'm fine with that, but I don't remember that being the case on my old one. I think I had to not only car memory but also the key memory for some of these.

I tried coding a few things tonight but it didn't take. Will try again tomorrow. Probably just missed a step.

[Clavurion]

Car & Key Memory options relating to different keys is tied to key's remote function which has nothing to do with key number in EWS.

Settings made using ”Key Memory” are assigned a defined key with master key. All required data are saved in the relevant control units. The ”Key Memory” settings can only be assigned to keys with remote control capability (i.e. to master keys). As standard, 2 master keys are supplied to customers. Up to 4 keys with master key settings can be assigned to a vehicle.

N.B.: When unlocking with a master key, the key is identified by the vehicle. Identification is forwarded via the bus systems to the electronic systems in the vehicle which enable the relevant settings.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Car & Key Memory options relating to different keys is tied to key's remote function which has nothing to do with key number in EWS.

That's my understanding too.

If you look at the key remote programming instructions, they caution you to program the keys in order. I believe THAT is the order that matters. The first key (fob / button remote) programmed there is remembered as #1 regarding seat programming, etc.

[e30mpower]

Very good info! Thank you!

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by e30mpower

Very good info! Thank you!

I'm interested in getting another key myself from the dealer. Do you mind sharing the process and perhaps how much it cost for you to get another one?

[e30mpower]

If memory serves they’re around $120. You just need to bring your VIN, registration or title, and ID to the dealer. They may try to charge you for programming but this isn’t required. You can do it yourself fairly easily.

[RocketyMan]

So yours is a 2004? I didn't think the diamond key was still available for a car nearing 20 years old. But for $120, that actually seems rather reasonable. I bought a blank FOB on ebay for $20 and then cutting it would take like $40-50...almost worth to get the right thing.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by RocketyMan

So yours is a 2004? I didn't think the diamond key was still available for a car nearing 20 years old. But for $120, that actually seems rather reasonable. I bought a blank FOB on ebay for $20 and then cutting it would take like $40-50...almost worth to get the right thing.

My 2001 came with diamond keys.

When I got the car about 5 years ago, there was only one diamond key. Details in previous posts, but my solution was to buy 3x valet keys (mistake at the online dealer - non-remote master keys would have been a little better) from thebmwminipartsstore.com (?) with the BMW EWS from the factory. Then I bought 3x used diamond keys off eBay, cut the keys off, used the diamond part as key fobs, easily reprogramming the remote capabilities.

Approx $40 per valet key, $15 per used diamond key. Probably not worth the research project if getting just one, but for me, it was a car to be used by my 3x kids, so I got 3x, making the small effort well worth the cost savings. Also, sometimes it is more convenient to use just the bare valet key (when running, swimming, etc.).

Interesting thing I noticed about this solution recently - those "fobs" still have EWS chips in them - since for diamond keys, the chip is on the circuit board in the diamond head. When starting, the EWS system will see two EWS chips: the proper chip in the valet key, and also the wrong chip in the fob, from whatever car the eBay used diamond key came from. Never a problem starting, but I notice my Foxwell and PA Soft will show error messages about an invalid EWS found, or something like that.